'Understanding Spiritual Power' addresses the dynamics of the felt need for spiritual power in relation to a people's assumptions, values, and commitments, in order to provide a foundation for meaningful Christian witness in "power-oriented" societies. The Western Church, Kraft argues, under pressure from modern rationalism, has largely lost awareness of God's power and position vis-a-vis the "spiritual realm" so important in other societies.

By exploring living societies, providing examples and case studies, and offering specific strategies, this book makes a powerful case for rethinking and recasting traditional missiological methods. At the same time, it helps Western Christians "with ears to hear" question whether they might not learn as much from those with whom they work as they seek to teach.